The interview that follows was done in June of 2021. It was done in person for the Tribeca. Because of issue with transcribing I'm now publishing it for the appearance of the film CATCH THE FAIR ONE at both Fantasia and the Bentonville Film Festivals.
As film festival interviews go this was a long one. It ran about 40 minutes, which was twice the scheduled time. I've trimmed a some material that didn't focus on the film (or boxing- forgive me I'm a boxing fan and to speak with a world champion was a delight.) If you are seeing this on the front page of Unseen Films you will find there is a page break to the majority of the interview.
I do want to warn you that I do discuss the ending of the film. I did that because when I saw the film at Tribeca the reaction to the ending split the writers I know who saw it. The reaction to the film was vey good except for this one blip. I have marked the start and the end with a spoiler alert.
I want to thank both Mr Wladyka and Ms Reis taking the time to do this. I also want to plead for some one to hire Ms Reis to beat the snot out of The Rock.
Josef: It's great for us for it not to to be another Zoom interview.
Steve: I have problems with Zoom. .It's erratic. So it's just so good to meet you.
Josef: Yes, very nice to meet you.
Steve: You had DIRTY HANDS five years ago...
Josef: Seven, 2014.
Steve: Forgive me it all blends together at Tribeca. I was wondering did they invite you back, or did you have to submit?
Josef: We just submitted.
Steve: I was curious because I know some festivals like New York Film Festival, l once you get in you're almost, guaranteed to get in again.
Josef: Maybe it doesn't hurt. I'm sure. But it's, it's great to be back again. (pauses) I can't believe it's taken seven years...
Steve: I know you did a lot of TV. Is it harder to do the TV because you're doing somebody else's project?
Josef: Yes.
Steve: And you're doing episodic?
Josef: And it's totally different.
Steve: I know for some shows you did five episodes. And then like, and then you one on the "Walking Dead." And it's like, is it hard to just come in and do like one episode of that?
Josef: I mean, it's a different skill set. It's still directing. I mean, I'm very grateful and blessed, you know. It's what pays my bills. I was able to pay all my student debt off because NYU Grad films were expensive.
But, , but it's a different...It's not your vision, necessarily. It's the showrunner's vision.
I mean, whereas this, you know, it's our film, you know, we're building the whole visual language in the world and everything. And the TV show, depending on the show, especially if you're doing a middle episode, a lot of that stuff is already in place.
So it's really just being able to come in and, and execute, make your days work with the actors', block it, and, and just, you know. Of course you try to elevate your episodes, what you can and bring your, your eye and your thoughts to things. But it's a completely different skill set.
But, one thing that's amazing about it is I've learned, I've done 16 hours of television now. [laughs] So I've learned, I, we wouldn't have been able to make this film, the way we made it if I hadn't had done all that television.
Steve: Why is that?
